5 arrested protesting eviction at Addison home

July 29, 2011|Staff report

Five activists were arrested today while trying to halt the eviction of a mother and her three sons from a two-story home in west suburban Addison.

The activists from the Anti-Eviction Campaign tried to block DuPage County Sheriff’s officers from entering the four-bedroom home shortly after 10 a.m. They were arrested for criminal trespass and obstruction of justice, according to a release by the sheriff’s office.

Luz Smedbron, who was ordered to leave the home, said she was trying to work out a loan modification with her bank. She said the home was purchased in June by an investor.

Smedbron said she hurt her back and lost her job.

“I have no place to go,” said Smedbron as she picked up furniture and items with her sons and friends and placed them onto a moving truck. “I have no family here. It’s terrible that this is happening to people.”

Smedbron said she is an American citizen who is originally from Ecuador.